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Tag Archives: Research links white bread to unhealthy weight

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

For the last several years we’ve all heard that switching to whole grain products is a healthy adjustment for our lifestyles. Of course, there are voices contradicting that information telling us that wheat is wheat and grains are grains and there’s no real difference between white bread and whole grain bread. Little by little, thought, we’ve seen an extraordinary number of whole grain products introduced into our food supply. If you’ve been incorporating whole grains into your diet, it’s no longer a difficult proposition to locate the products that fit into your lifestyle. A new study is showing that you’ve really made the right move.

Just two or more servings of white bread could put you on the road to gaining weight and puts you at a 40 percent higher risk of obesity, according to new research focused on the eating habits of university graduates.

A research team monitored the eating and weight fluctuations of 9,200 Spanish graduates over a five-year time span in which participants ate both whole grain and white breads. Those who ate both showed no increased risk while those who only ate white bread and had two or more portions daily were 40 percent more likely to become obese and overweight.

The research showed no definitive link of just eating whole grain bread and potential obesity, and that may be due to the fiber of whole grain bread, states researcher Miguel Martinez-Gonzalez, a professor at the University of Navarra in Spain, and colleagues.

“Consumption of white bread [of] two portions per day or more showed a significant direct association with the risk of becoming overweight or obese,” states the researchers.

The news comes amidst a steady stream of research that reveals alarming rates of obesity across the world. The world is getting fatter, states the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, published in The Lancet. Even as other parts of the world compete with the United States on obesity levels, the overall numbers show 10 countries make up more than half of the world’s obese population.

The white bread report researchers say the finding shows an association between a diet of white bread and a diet of mixed bread intake.

“Essentially it is equivalent to a high consumption of sugar,” Martinez-Gonzalez said. “The problem is similar to what we see with soft drinks, their sugars are rapidly transformed into fat an organism.”

Martinez-Gonzalez recommends switching to whole grain, especially for those trying to lose weight. A recent Cornell University also noted that a diet high in white bread could potentially lead to heart issues.

As we noted, FoodFacts.com wants to emphasize that finding all sorts of whole grain products has become an easier endeavor. It’s not just bread that’s available — bagels, cereals, and pasta can be easily found in most grocery stores today. Whole grain bread, especially, offers better texture and flavor than white bread. It’s not a difficult transition to make and the health benefits that are just beginning to come to light make it well worth it!